![\"Historical](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-1363816700-ecac.jpg\")
\n\t\tLeuven is packed with history (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tLeuven is packed with history (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Replete with culture, history and the free-flowing creativity of youth, university cities make excellent weekend break destinations. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s not hard to see why places like Oxford<\/a> and Cambridge<\/a> often feature on so many \u2018must visit\u2019 lists<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, if you fancy going a little further afield, Belgium<\/a>\u2019s answer to Oxford might be the ticket.<\/p>\n We\u2019re talking, of course, about Leuven, the home of one of Belgium\u2019s most prestigious centres of higher learning, where you\u2019re always surrounded by the university\u2019s rich history (and that of its students).<\/p>\n This lesser-known destination often sees its university feature alongside (and sometimes, even beat!) Oxford in lists of the top study destinations<\/a> in Europe<\/a>. <\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tSign up to The Getaway newsletter\t\t\t<\/p>\n Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n And, with over 600 years of history, it has almost as much pedigree as its UK counterpart.<\/p>\n For tourists, it\u2019s a town that\u2019s alive with culture, set against an awe-inspiring architectural backdrop. What\u2019s not to love?<\/p>\n Where is Leuven?<\/p>\n Leuven is a centrally located city in Belgium, approximately 30 minutes drive west from the capital, Brussels<\/a>. To the north, Antwerpt is about an hour\u2019s drive.<\/p>\n Leuven is the largest city (and the capital) of the Flemish Brabant province.<\/p>\n \t\t A historic city with a trendy vibe, Leuven is straightforward to explore on foot or by bike.<\/p>\n From the Gothic Town Hall to the \u2018Oude Markt\u2019, the architecture is something to behold. The views from the bell tower of Leuven\u2019s university library are particularly fabulous.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not devoid of nature, though, with over fourteen square kilometres of green space to explore, including Arenbergpark in Heverlee, Botanical Gardens, and the Stadspark (municipal park), which has excellent picnic spots.<\/p>\n Things to do<\/p>\n Founded in 1425, KU Leuven (Leuven\u2019s University) is one of Europe\u2019s oldest universities and celebrates its 600th anniversary in 2025, with events all over the city to mark the occasion.<\/p>\n There are heritage walks that encompass Arenberg Castle, the University Library, the Museum of Zoology, and more, with eight new outdoor works of art also being commissioned in Leuven\u2019s parks.<\/p>\n \t\t There\u2019s more history on offer too, with the Groot Begijnhof, Great Market Square, and Saint Peter\u2019s Church (Sint-Pieterskerk) also proving popular with visitors.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve worked up a thirst exploring, make for one of Leuven\u2019s iconic breweries, which are most famous for being the home of Stella Artois.<\/p>\n Beer is in this city\u2019s DNA, and brewery tours, beer tours by foot (or bike, for the brave) and even \u2018beer restaurants\u2019 are on offer for thirsty holidaymakers.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t If you\u2019re looking to catch some live music, each summer, the city hosts Beleuvenissen, a series of free gigs with historic Leuven as their backdrop.<\/p>\n However, if you\u2019re looking for something a little more upmarket, there are Michelin-star restaurants such as Zarza, and plenty of pavement cafes where you can people-watch.<\/p>\n Finally, if you\u2019re looking to literally \u2018chill\u2019 out, you can always visit Coupe Matadi, Leuven\u2019s ice cream boat, which serves tasty treats from a converted 1929 freighter.<\/p>\n How to get to Leuven from the UK<\/p>\n If you\u2019re flying from the UK, Brussels Airport is the closest link to Leuven.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re watching the pennies, then budget airlines like Ryanair<\/a> offer direct flights to Brussels for just \u00a334 from Manchester. <\/p>\n British Airways flights from London Heathrow<\/a> will set you back around \u00a350, if booked far enough in advance.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve arrived in Leuven, you have the choice of a 30-minute car or taxi ride, or train connections from Brussels Airport-Zaventem that take just 15 minutes.<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"College](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2158344474-315b.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe city has plenty of green space, and is easily explored on foot (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI_263647638-3f6e.jpg\")
\n\t\tLeuven is in central Belgium (Picture: Metro)
\nWhy visit Leuven?<\/p>\n![\"University](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-1461104100-32b2.jpg\")
\n\t\tLeuven\u2019s University dates back over 600 years (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Stella](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-1238720471-a46b.jpg\")
\n\t\tLeuven is the home of Stella Artois beer (Picture: Bloomberg via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Library](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2167458345-8143.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe views from the university library are said to be amazing (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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